The Trump administration filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the California Department of Education and the California Interscholastic Federation for allowing transgender athletes to compete in female sports.
The lawsuit, filed by the Department of Justice, claims the CDE and CIF have “have engaged in illegal sex discrimination” against female athletes by letting males compete in school sports against them.
The U.S. Department of Education launched an investigation earlier this year into California’s policies and found they were in violation of Title IX by allowing transgender athletes to compete in female sports. The state was given 10 days to agree and change its policies, but it refused.
“These discriminatory policies and practices ignore undeniable biological differences between boys and girls, in favor of an amorphous ‘gender identity,’ ” the lawsuit said. “The results of these illegal policies are stark: girls are displaced from podiums, denied awards, and miss out on critical visibility for college scholarships and recognition.”
A few months ago, Gov. Gavin Newsom hosted conservative activist Charlie Kirk on his podcast and discussed the issue of transgender athletes participating in girls’ sports. The lawsuit mentions that even the governor of California admits these politics are unfair.
“The Governor of California has previously admitted that it is ‘deeply unfair’ to force women and girls to compete with men and boys in competitive sports,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “But not only is it ‘deeply unfair,’ it is also illegal under federal law. This Department of Justice will continue its fight to protect equal opportunities for women and girls in sports.”
The purpose of Title IX, the lawsuit explains, is to provide equality and despite many warnings from the U.S. Department of Education, the CDE and CIF refused to sign their Proposed Resolution Agreement.
“It [discriminating policies] erodes the integrity of girls’ sports, diminishes their competitive experience, and undermines the very purpose of Title IX: to provide equal access to educational benefits, including interscholastic athletics,” the suit said. “Despite warnings from the United States Department of Education, Defendants continue to require California schools to allow boys to compete against girls.”
The Center Square reached out for comment, but the CDE stated it cannot comment on pending litigation. The CIF also does not comment on legal matters.
“California is on the wrong side of the law and the wrong side of history,” said U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli of the Central District of California. “Women deserve dignity, respect, and an equal opportunity to compete on their own sports teams. The time for talk is over. California must comply with Title IX and end its civil rights violations against women. No person, no state, is above the law.”
